''Are you in the streets with Marius again today Enjolras?''
It was early morning and Aimee and Enjolras had both risen with one thing on their minds. The Revolution.
''Indeed we are, Lamarques condition is worsening, apparently he will not last the week out but people are starting to listen Aimee!'' he laughed in disbelief.
Aimee sighed.
''Surely there is something the doctors can do, they can't just leave him to die!''
''He's too sick now, they've done all they can. And when he passes, pray god, that is when we shall strike''
The expression on the young woman's face was that of despair.
''Enjolras you cant! Its too dangerous, you and Marius could get hurt! You could die!''
He laughed and pulled on his red blazer.
''You fret too much mademoiselle, have faith. We shall not fail'' although deep within him, he knew that he would not survive to see his plan through, though he couldn't bring himself to tell the young woman; although he was sure she already knew this herself and refused to believe it.
She nodded and took a deep breath.
''I shall be out of your hair by the time you get back Alexandre, I'm sure Eponine would be glad of the company again, poor girl''
''You know that I do not mind you staying here Aimee, the only woman in my life is Patria of course, but I will not have a young lady such as yourself on the streets of Paris at night''
''I know this, and I thank you very much for your hospitality but I must be heading off''
He nodded, pulling her in for a slight hug.
''You're more than welcome to come back okay petite dame''
Aimee laughed at her childhood nickname, he hadn't called her it in years.
''Oui je sais Enjay''
He chuckled and left the building, leaving her alone in the apartment for the first time.
Aimee was not nosy, nor was she rude - but she found herself looking around his desk for a while, not in a malicious way but curiously.
Although she had known the young man since she was but the age of 10, she had never really ever entered his personal life, she was always there in the background.
She never minded though, she was quite proud to be a part of this brave and courageous man's life - he had no time for women that were not his Patria, but he seemed to always find time for her and occasionally even Eponine, and for that she was thankful.
She had never learned to read so there was no danger of her finding things she shouldn't, none of them would make sense to her even if she had because of her lack of education, her eyes lingered on some of the sketches she found.
She never knew he could draw. How funny, she thought.
They were good too, there were a few of the boys in the café and she recognized Grantaire with his trustful bottle of wine in hand, there were even some of the rich men from the university Enjolras attended, some of what he believed his beloved 'Patria' would look like as a real, living human being, but then she came across another.
It was of her.
Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion but she smiled slightly, she was flattered although the drawing had shown her in one of her worse states.
She placed the images back to where she found them and slowly made her way back out of the apartment into the familiar comfort of the streets of Paris once more to see if there was an opportunity to pick somebodies pocket or two.

She hadn't headed straight to the café that night, not that she couldn't hear the boys anyway, but stayed with Eponine in the small room they both tried to pay for, tried being the operative word.
There was no furniture in this room but two mattresses' and a blanket on the floor, they shared these.
Aimee never pitied herself though, she knew there were people on the streets living much worse lives than she and she had no right to complain - if things ever got too bad her and 'Ponine would have friends to fall back on if times were desperate, not that she ever would. Even though she'd never admit it, it was nice to be comforted now and again.

''Have you heard anything on the state of Lamarque, Aimee?'' the small blonde woman nodded.
''Enjolras told me this morning that they do not think he is going to last the week''
''Enjolras? Were you not here last night?''
''No, he made sure that I was not on the streets. Not that I know why he should care so much, we haven't spoken much since he became infatuated with the idea of overthrowing the state''
Eponine shook out a laugh and nodded in agreement.
''I understand, are you planning on fighting with them?''
''Of course, I'll be damned if I sit here and do nothing 'Ponine. They need me, they need both of us even if they wont say so!''
''You know they won't allow it Aimee, after all we're only gamine's to them anyway, but if you go then so will I''
The two girls shared a smile, happy that they still had each other.

A couple of days past and the well being of Lamarque worsened even more, he would pass within the next few days and Aimee was terrified.
''Marius!'' she called, spotting him pass her in the streets - he turned toward her with a smile.
''Aimee, I haven't seen you in a long while I know but I really must be going-'' he tried to walk away but the young woman grabbed his arm and pulled him back with a laugh.
''Before you run off, why are you so happy? Have you become a lovesick fool Marius?''
He shook his head, laughed and looked at the floor before looking her back in the eye.
''Aye, I believe I have mademoiselle''
''Who is this woman?'' Aimee asked, a part of her hoping that it was Eponine that had made the bourgeois boy so happy but couldn't disguise the little bit of disappointment in her when it was not.
''I do not know!'' he laughed, ''Eponine told me that she will show me were she is living later on this evening - can you believe it Aimee?!''
He grabbed her hands and swung her round in circles, making Aimee shriek with laughter.
''Do be careful Marius'' she told him once she had straighten herself out. ''You know how Enjolras is about this revolution, its important to him. You gave him your word and that should always come first being that he is your best friend after all''
He nodded and begun to walk away.
''I know Aimee, I'm doing all that I can''
She let the young man go and be happy and decided to see how the others were doing.
''Ah who do we have here?'' she groaned internally at the closeness of the voice.
''Montparnasse, I do believe I have told you to stay away from me'' he chuckled, brushing a hand against her neck.
''That's not what you were telling me the other night''
''I had no choice I needed the money''
''There's no time for lies my little whore, I know you enjoyed yourself'' his lips scraping the skin on her back. She squirmed. ''Oh how sad it must be for you, Aimee. Having nobody, having nothing''.
''I'll scream, don't you think I wont'' she spat at him whilst trying to ignore the dull pain in her stomach as to where he was gripping her tight.
Montparnasse burst out into a fit of laughter.
''Please, do you really believe that the members of this loving public are going to come and help a poor little whore such as your self, vous ne pouvez pas courir salope'' he whispered venomously into her ear and walked away.
Aimee took in a deep breath and closed her eyes, blinking away the tears and continued to walk towards the café.

She had no need to tell anybody of this encounter, it happened quite a few times and she knew that it would continue.
Aimee fought her own battles.